Steve Marik • InsideNebraska
Staff Writer
@Steve_Marik
Thirteen former Huskers with NFL aspirations were at Hawks Championship Center on Wednesday morning looking to impress scouts at
Nebraska’s Pro Day.
The three Huskers who were invited to the NFL Combine earlier this month — receiver Trey Palmer, defensive lineman Ochaun Mathis and tight end Travis Vokolek — were in attendance. But 11 other former Huskers who didn’t receive a Combine invite, two of whom included linebackers Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tannor, also took to the turf looking to catch the eyes of NFL personnel.
All 32 NFL teams were represented at Pro Day. There were no head coaches in attendance.
Here are the 13 players who took part in the Huskers’ Pro Day:
LB Garrett Nelson
LB Chris Kolarevic
LB Eteva Mauga-Clements
LS Cameron Pieper
LS Brady Weas
LB/DL Ochaun Mathis
WR Oliver Martin
WR Trey Palmer
TE Chancellor Brewington
TE Travis Vokolek
LB Caleb Tannor
WR Omar Manning
DB Brandon Moore
Here are observations from a busy day at Hawks:
>> Former Husker coach Bill Busch was in attendance to show support for the players he coached the past few years.
>> Current Huskers were everywhere on Wednesday watching the action and rooting on their former teammates. Defensive lineman
Blaise Gunnerson was seen wearing a boot on his left foot. Gunnerson seemed fine and was walking around without a limp.
>> Earlier this week, head coach
Matt Rhule confirmed that running back
Anthony Grant and corner
Tommi Hill were suspended from competing in practice. On Wednesday, Grant was right there along with his teammates taking in the action. At different moments, teammates came up and dapped up Grant like any other player. Strength coach
Corey Campbell came up to Grant and chatted with the running back for a bit.
>> Punter
Brian Buschini wasn’t competing on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop a scout from the Green Bay Packers from talking to him.
>> Former walk-on quarterback Matt Masker was the quarterback throwing to the receivers who were running routes Wednesday. Masker spent five seasons with the Huskers but is not with the program anymore.
>> One thing that was interesting coming into the day was how Campbell interacted with the players at Pro Day. He didn’t coach any of them so it was nice to see him actively participating and coaching guys up. He was spotted helping guys get loose and giving pointers to Garrett Nelson about how to improve his 40-yard dash.
>> Coach
Matt Rhule, as well as every member of the coaching staff and many behind-the-scenes people, were hanging out at Pro Day. Rhule talked for a long time with Philadelphia Eagle Cam Jurgens. The pair must have hit it off because they talked for at least 15 minutes.
>> Jurgens wasn't the only former Husker who's in the NFL in attendance. Current Green Bay Packer Austin Allen was there, too.
>> Oliver Martin was the most impressive in the broad jump. His jump of 11 feet, 2 inches was the farthest out of all Husker participants. In fact, he was nearly a foot longer than next closest player who decided to take part. For context, Trey Palmer did not participate.
>> Caleb Tannor liked his Pro Day, even if he didn't get to hear any specific numbers on drills. He hopes the scouts can see his "versatility" on the field. However, Tannor did say he liked where his weight was, which he revealed to be at 237 pounds. He estimated that he was 220-225 pounds at the end of the fall.
>> During interviews with scouts, Nelson said he was asked a bunch of questions, some of which were off. Nelson said he was asked what the worst thing he's ever done was and what he wants on his headstone. Nelson revealed he wanted his headstone to say he was the one of the best friends anyone could have.
>> Nelson was asked what his 40-yard dash was. "I heard an alleged 4.6, but do not put me on record for that," Nelson joked. "But I heard 4.6, 4.7."